Bathing Above the Clouds at Takamine Onsen
This homey train station was where I would be meeting Hideo Goto, the fourth generation innkeeper of Takamine Onsen — a hidden ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) nestled 2,000 meters above the highlan…
The archive
Articles from blog.gaijinpot.com — page 20
Browse articles from blog.gaijinpot.com in the Akihabara archive.
Experiencing Japan’s Senpai-Kouhai System at Work
In Japan, where seniority and experience continue to take precedence over qualifications or ability, the idea of “respect your elders” is at the forefront of daily working life. One of the ways this …
10 of the Best Tweets So Far For #GaijinConfessionFriday
Started by Twitter user @lefteyedgirl, the hashtag #gaijinconfessionfriday exploded in popularity at the end of April and is still going strong as of last Friday – with even some Japanese users getti…
7 Places in Tokyo to Check Out If You’re a Gamer
Japan is like nirvana for gamers. Not only has it been responsible for trendsetting hardware — did anyone try the Nintendo Switch yet? — it’s also the home of some of the most famous video games to d…
The Awkward Art of Saying Goodbye in Japan
"I tried disengaging from the conversation. “Well, it was nice talking to you!” I said. My student just stared at me expectantly, waiting for me to continue. After a moment of silence, I tried a…
Yosakoi: Why It’s My Favorite Japanese Festival
Yosakoi is a dance that originated in Kochi prefecture, on the southern island of Shikoku. It grew out of awa odori, a traditional dance style and festival from neighboring Tokushima prefecture. Awa …
25 Things to Do in Osaka
Osaka is a city with a heck of a lot to offer; interesting museums, scenic parks and world-class shopping, with more than its fair share of quirky charm and thousands of back streets to exp…
5 Things You Should Know About Drones in Japan
While drones are steadily getting more popular in Japan, many people have a lack of knowledge about the rules and regulations. This is largely due to a language barrier as most of the information tha…
How to deal with being a foreign chick in a Japanese office
You have successfully jumped through all the hoops and got yourself a job in Japan — congratulations! While you should celebrate with a nice glass of bubbly and start brushing up on your keigo (honor…
What Trump’s Rejection of the TPP Means for Japan
Although the TPP wasn’t an integral part of the US-Japan relationship, it certainly represented a cornerstone for its future. It’s no coincidence that as soon as Trump said he would be leaving t…